Butte County is a place of natural beauty with countless opportunities for recreation in both rural and urban environments. Many Butte County residents live in one of the five incorporated towns or cities: Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville or Paradise. Butte County government provides services to residents through 23 diverse departments. Services include elections, road maintenance, public safety, solid waste disposal, and health and human services to name a few.

News and Announcements

Butte County Probation Expands Innovative Reentry Program

Male Community Reentry Program provides treatment and rehabilitation to reduce recidivism

The Butte County Board of Supervisors approved agreement amendments at its Feb. 13 meeting that enable the Butte County Probation Department to utilize State funds for two new probation officers and additional alcohol and drug treatment services to support the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP).

The MCRP provides select, male adult probationers rehabilitative treatment and services to reduce crime and recidivism, while also giving back to the community.

Each MCRP participant must complete a tailored plan that includes alcohol and drug treatment, anger management, forward thinking, parenting and job training classes. The program also focuses on connecting participants to education, employment and health care opportunities, as well as support in obtaining important documents such as identification cards and birth certificates.

“MCRP enables men in our community to get their lives on track and provides the tools they need to remain successful long-term,” said Chief Probation Officer Steve Bordin. “Our probation officers facilitate needed treatment and training, while also removing barriers so participants can return home as productive and motivated community members.”

The Butte County Probation Department started its MCRP in June 2017, in partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Overall, the program has proved to be a great success in reducing recidivism and providing participants with important life skills.
- To date:101 probationers have participated in the program
- Officers have helped participants obtain 61 California ID cards, 42 Social Security cards and 62 birth certificates
- 44 participants have gained employment while in the program
- MCRP participants have completed 653 hours of community service

To date, 68 participants have completed the MCRP, and upon graduation:
- 100 percent of graduates have obtained stable housing and fiscal stability
- 17 participants have been discharged from Post Release Community Supervision (State Parole)
- Only 2 participants have committed a new felony and have been sentenced back to State prison. The average recidivism rate at one year post-release in California is 36.4 percent according to a 2015 CDCR report).

“While it might seem trivial, getting a simple ID card or accessing health care can mean the world of difference in a probationer’s ability to get and keep a job, and gain financial stability,” said Bordin. “By offering this program, we’re able to greatly reduce the likelihood of these men committing crimes and returning to jail, which betters everyone in our community.”

With the addition of two officers and $399,300 in State funding for alcohol and drug treatment services, the program will now be able to serve an additional 20 participants. The Butte County Probation Department also anticipates continuing their collaboration with CDCR on the program into the next fiscal year.